Cooking the perfect steak is a culinary goal for many, but choosing the right method can make all the difference. Two popular techniques—sous vide vs grilling—each offers unique advantages and can produce delicious results. However, the debate between sous vide steak vs grilled steak is ongoing. This guide will delve into the benefits and drawbacks of both methods, explore whether combining them yields the best steak, and provide insights into how these cooking techniques compare in taste and texture. Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Are the Benefits of Cooking Steak with Sous Vide?
Sous vide cooking has gained popularity for its precision and consistency, especially when it comes to cooking steak, which offers precise temperature control, ensuring perfectly even doneness throughout the meat. It eliminates the risk of overcooking or undercooking, delivering consistent results every time.
Moreover, the slow cooking process breaks down connective tissues without drying out the meat, so the steak retains its natural juices and flavors, creating a more tender and flavorful bite. Additionally, sous vide provides convenience, requiring minimal monitoring once the steak is sealed and the temperature is set, and it just needs less cleanup since the steak cooks in a vacuum-sealed bag.
When to Choose Grilling for Cooking Steak?
While sous vide cooking offers numerous advantages, grilling remains a traditional favorite for cooking steak, and for good reason. Here’s when grilling might be your preferred method:
- Flavorful Char: Grilling imparts a smoky, charred flavor that’s difficult to replicate with other cooking methods. This flavor comes from the Maillard reaction, which occurs when the steak’s exterior is exposed to high heat.
- Crispy Crust: Grilling over an open flame or on a hot grill grate creates a crispy, caramelized crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior of the steak.
- Quick Cooking: Grilling is a relatively fast method of cooking, especially for thinner cuts of steak. The high heat sears the outside quickly while cooking the interior to your desired level of doneness.
- Traditional Experience: Grilling is often associated with social gatherings and outdoor cooking. It offers a more traditional and communal experience, which many people enjoy.
- Versatility: Grilling allows you to cook multiple items at once, such as vegetables or seafood, alongside your steak. Its versatility makes it a great option for a full meal.
How Do Sous Vide and Grilling Compare in Taste and Texture?
Both sous vide and grilling can produce excellent results when cooking steak, but each method offers a unique taste and texture. Let’s take a look at their difference:
Taste
Sous vide steak is known for its pure, unaltered flavor, as the meat’s natural juices and seasonings are retained, which enhances the inherent taste of the steak without introducing external flavors. Grilling, on the other hand, adds a smoky, charred flavor that many people love. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the surface of the steak, creating a savory crust that adds depth and complexity to its taste.
Texture
Sous vide provides a uniform texture throughout the steak, with no gradient of doneness, eliminating the common issue of uneven cooking. Grilled steak, however, tends to have a crusty exterior with a gradient that progresses from well-done on the edges to medium or rare in the center. Such contrast in textures is one of the appealing aspects of a grilled steak.
Juiciness
Sous vide generally produces a juicier steak because it prevents moisture loss during cooking. Grilling can sometimes dry out the meat if not done carefully. A quick grill after sous vide locks in the moisture while adding texture.
Should You Combine Sous Vide and Grilling for the Best Steak?
We know that sous vide and grill steak have their own distinct benefits, but can you combine these two methods for an even better result? The answer is a resounding yes. This approach, often referred to as the "reverse sear" method, truly offers the best of both worlds, making your steak exceptionally tender, juicy, and flavorful. Here's why this combination is worth considering:
- Precision and Flavor: By cooking the steak sous vide first, you ensure it’s perfectly cooked to your desired doneness. Then, a quick sear on the grill adds that smoky flavor and crispy crust that only grilling can provide.
- Reduced Cooking Time on the Grill: Since the steak is already cooked to temperature in the sous vide bath, grilling only takes a couple of minutes per side. It reduces the risk of overcooking and allows you to focus on achieving the perfect sear.
- Enhanced Juiciness: The sous vide method locks in moisture, and the brief time on the grill doesn’t allow the steak to dry out. So, you can get a steak with a juicy interior and a deliciously charred exterior.
- Flexibility: Combining two methods provides flexibility in your cooking schedule. You can cook the steak sous vide ahead of time and finish it on the grill just before serving, making it ideal for entertaining or meal prep.
How to Cook Steak with Sous Vide?
We've covered a lot about sous vide vs grilling steak in this article. While grilling is a familiar and common method for cooking steak at home, you might be less familiar with how to easily sous vide at home. The good news is that sous vide is actually a simple and straightforward process. Here's a quick guide to get you started:
Step 1: Prepare the Sous Vide Tool
To achieve excellent results, you'll need a reliable sous vide tool like the SCHWUA Sous Vide Machine. This device offers the convenience of app control and connectivity, allowing you to manage your cooking remotely, including setting precise temperatures, adjusting cooking times, switching the unit on or off, and even scheduling cooking sessions using the reservation timing feature. The SCHWUA machine also has high-temperature detection to prevent overheating, and water level monitoring to ensure optimal cooking conditions, providing a safe and efficient sous vide experience.
Step 2: Season the Steak
Season your steak generously with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs. For added flavor, you can include garlic, rosemary, or thyme. Place the seasoned steak into a vacuum-seal bag or a zip-lock bag designed for sous vide cooking.
Step 3: Vacuum Seal the Bag
If you're using a vacuum-seal bag, use a vacuum sealer to remove all the air from the bag, ensuring that the steak is tightly sealed. If you're using a zip-lock bag, use the water displacement method by slowly lowering the bag into the water, allowing the water pressure to push the air out before sealing the bag fully.
Step 4: Set Up the Sous Vide Machine
Fill a large pot or container with water and attach the SCHWUA Sous Vide Machine to the side. Use the app or the device’s interface to set the temperature. For a medium-rare steak, set the temperature to 130°F (54.5°C). Adjust the time based on your preference—typically, 1 to 4 hours for a steak.
Step 5: Cook the Steak
Once the water reaches the desired temperature, submerge the sealed steak into the water bath. The SCHWUA Sous Vide Machine will maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process, ensuring even cooking. Use the app to monitor the cooking progress remotely if desired.
Step 6: Finish with a Sear
After the cooking time is complete, remove the steak from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels. The next step is to sear the steak to develop a flavorful crust. Heat a skillet over high heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Sear the steak for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust forms. This step adds flavor and texture to the steak.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Let the steak rest for a few minutes after searing to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice the steak against the grain and serve it with your favorite sides.
Conclusion
When it comes to sous vide steak vs grilled steak, each method offers its unique benefits. Sous vide excels in precision and consistency, delivering a perfectly cooked steak every time. Grilling, however, imparts a distinctive smoky flavor and crispy texture that’s hard to resist. For the best of both worlds, consider combining sous vide and grilling to achieve a steak that’s juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. No matter which method you choose, understanding the strengths of each can help you create the perfect steak every time.
